iPad Air M2 vs iPad Air M4
A single brand, two separate lines: Apple covers this space with both the iPad Air M2 and the iPad Air M4. Surprisingly little separates them. A handful of specs move the needle; the rest are rounding errors.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Cameras Tie
- Battery & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Display1.7
- Performance10.0
- Memory & Storage10.0
- Cameras9.0
- Battery & Connectivity4.5
- Display1.7
- Performance10.0
- Memory & Storage10.0
- Cameras9.0
- Battery & Connectivity4.5
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Design & Size
- iPad Air M2 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.24 in
- iPad Air M4 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.24 in
On overall dimensions, the iPad Air M2 and the iPad Air M4 are separated by very little.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M2 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.75 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 7.03 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.24 in |
| Weight | 16.30 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Display
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on display. Don’t let display decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Performance
Too close to call
On performance, the iPad Air M2 and the iPad Air M4 are effectively level. The performance verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if memory & storage was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Accessories & Productivity
The accessories & productivity entries below are descriptive rather than numeric. Read them side by side to see where the iPad Air M2 and the iPad Air M4 part ways.
Cameras
Too close to call
The differences on cameras are small enough to ignore in daily use. So cameras is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Battery & Connectivity
Too close to call
If battery & connectivity matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Either tablet will serve you equally well on battery & connectivity.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Air M2 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 11 in | 11 in |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina (LCD) | Liquid Retina (LCD) |
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 | 2360 x 1640 |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| Fully laminated display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPad Air M2 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M2 | M4 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| GPU cores | 9 | 9 |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Air M2 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
Accessories & Productivity
| Spec | iPad Air M2 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus support | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
| Keyboard accessory | Magic Keyboard | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air |
| OS at launch | iPadOS 17 | N/A (not specified) |
Cameras
| Spec | iPad Air M2 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera position | Landscape edge | Landscape edge |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | iPad Air M2 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 28.9 Wh | 28.9 Wh |
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating | 10 h | 10 h |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Cellular option | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M2 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.75 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 7.03 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.24 in |
| Weight | 16.30 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | iPad Air M2 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $599 | $599 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The launch prices are identical, so value comes down to which strengths you prefer.
Launch prices (US) as of March 2026. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Air M2 if…
- you don’t care much about the upgrades in the newer model
Choose the iPad Air M4 if…
- you’d rather start with the later of the two generations
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPad Air M2 or the iPad Air M4?
Neither wins outright. Choose the iPad Air M2 if the things a spec sheet can’t capture matters most, or the iPad Air M4 if having the newer model does.
Should I upgrade from the iPad Air M2 to the iPad Air M4?
It depends on what you need. The iPad Air M4 brings a handful of small refinements, but if your iPad Air M2 still does the job, there’s no urgency.
Does the iPad Air M2 last longer on a charge than the iPad Air M4?
The official battery figures don’t separate them; the iPad Air M2 and the iPad Air M4 land in almost the same place.
Which is larger, the iPad Air M2 or the iPad Air M4?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the iPad Air M2 and the iPad Air M4 is too small to matter.
Executive Summary
When a brand offers the iPad Air M2 and the iPad Air M4 side by side, I always ask what you give up by picking one over the other.
Who should get which? The iPad Air M2 for the things a spec sheet can’t capture, the iPad Air M4 for having the newer model.
My pick: honestly, it’s a split decision, so let the things a spec sheet can’t capture versus having the newer model settle it for you.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.